Self-lubricating vehicle spring



Jan. 12,1937. c. A. DOUGHERTY SELF LUBRI'CATING VEHICLE SPRING Fied May2o, 1,1956

Patented Jan., 12, 1937 PATENT OFFICE SELF-LUBRICATING VEHICLE SPRINGCharles A. Dougherty, Wilmington, Del.

Application May zo, 1030, serial No. 80,901 i (ci. 2er-50) 'lclaima Thisinvention relates to a self-lubricating vehicle spring.

The invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafterset forth, a vehicle spring of the laminated type with laminationsthereof so formed to cause the quick, easy, and thorough lubricationthereof.

A further object of the invention is to form each of the lowerlaminatons of the spring, in a manner as hereinafter set forth wherebythe resistance and strength thereof will materially increase.

A further object of the invention is to form each of the lowerlaminations of the spring, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with anintermediate portion and a pair of side portions of materially greaterthickness and of less width than and coacting with the intermediateportion to provide a widelubricant receiving space lengthwise of thelamination, and with the said side portions actingto increase theresistance and strength of the body from which the lamination is formed.

A further object of the invention is to form those laminations betweenthe top and bottom laminations of the spring, in a `mannerfashereinafter set forth with an intermediate portion and a pair of sideportions of materially greater thickness and of less width than andcoacting lwith the intermediate portion to provide a wide lubricantreceiving space lengthwise of the lamination opening at each end of thelatter to constitute what may be termed channels and each laminationprovided with means dispo transversely of the channel to retard the discarge of the lubricant from each end of the lamination.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a manner ashereinafter set'forth, a'

self-lubricatingy spring which is comparatively simple in its'construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughlyeilcient when used, conveniently assembled and comparatively inexpensiveto manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter more, speciilcally described and are as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment oi' the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modicationsmaybe resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a self-lubricatingspring in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan viewof the spring, i Figure 3 is a top plan viewof one of the laminations of the intermediate set of lamina- 5 tions,`

Figure 4 is a top plan viewof the lowermost lamination,

Figure is a view on line 5-5, Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a top plan view,broken away, il- 10 lustrating a modied form of the intermediatelaminations.

The spring includes a top lamination or leaf I, a set of intermediatelaminations orleaves, preferably ve in number, and indicated at 2, 3, 4,5 15 and 6 and a bottom lamination or leaf l. The laminationsprogressively increase in ,length from the lamination l to thelamination I and arey so disposed whereby the ends of an upperlamination will extend equi-distant from the ends of a lower lamination.'I'he laminations l to l, both inclusive, at the junction 'of theirlongitudinal and transverse medians are formed with aligning openings 8,9, Il),v Il, I2, I3 and I4 respectively. The laminations I to 1 aresecured in superimposed relation by a headed bolt I5 carrying -aclamping'or-l securing nut I6. 'I'he bolt I5extendsupwardly through thealigning openings 8 to Ita d has, its head I1 abut the lower face of thela ation l. The'nut I6 30 abuts theupper face of t e lamination I. Thelaminations I to 'I are f segmental contour. The laminations I to 5 a ealso .secured together insuperimposed relation by a pair of spaced yokesI8 carrying tie vbolts I9 arranged against 35 the upper face of the laation I. The bases 20 of the yokes I8 are arranged against the lowerface of the lamination 5. The laminations I and 2 are also securedtogether in superimposed relation by a pair of spaced coupling 40 bands2l. The ends of the lamination I are formed with eyes 22 for receivingpivotal connections, not shown, for coupling spring with the vehicle.The laminations I to 1 are also secured invsuperimposed relation by apair of 45 intermediate portion 28, as illustrated in Figure 55Vcorrespond in length to that of the body of the lamination. Theintermediate portion 26 is of materially less thickness andof materiallygreater Width than that of the side portion 21 or 28. The side portions21, 26 are of uniform thickness throughout. 'I'he intermediate portion26 coacts with the side portions 2,1, 26 to provide a wide lubricantreceiving space 29 which is termed a lubricant conducting-off channel.Each of the laminations 2 to 6 is formed in proximity to each end with apair of oppositely disposed transversely extending spaced inner endwisealigning webs, such as indicated at 30, 3| on Figure 3 with respect tothelamination 2. The Webs 36, 3| constitute retarders and the spacebetween the webs 30 forms a lubricant outlet passage 32 and the spacebetween the webs 3| forms a lubricant passage 33. The webs are integralwith the upper face of the intermediate portion 26 and have their upperfaces flush with the upper faces of the side portions 21, 26.

Each of the laminations 2 to 6 both inclusive are formed with aligningopenings 34 constituting' lubricant intakes for the recesses orlubricant conducting-off channels 26. The openings 34 preferably will bearranged in proximity to one of the yokes 23. The lower faces of thelaminations I to 5 inclusive constitute top walls for the recesses 29formed in the laminations 2 to 6 both inclusive, respectively.

The lamination 1 includes an intermediate portion 35, a pair of sideportions 36, 31 and a pair of end portions 36, 39. The intermediateportion 35 is of materially less thickness and of greater width than theside portions 36, 31. The intermediate portions 35 is of materially lessthickness and of greater width than the end portions 36, 39. I'heintermediate portion 35 coacts with the portions 36, 31, 38 and 39 toprovide a rectangular lubricant receiving chamber 40. The bottom of thelatter near one end is provided with an -opening 4| having a threadedwall. The lower face of the lamination 6 provides a top wall for thechamber 46. Anchored to the wall of opening 4| is a lubricant fitting42.

The modified form of lamination or leaf shown in Figure 6 is indicatedat 43 and is constructed in the same manner as the laminations 2 to 6inclusive with this exception that in addition to the webs 44, 45located in proximity to the ends of the laminations it is also providedwith spaced pairs of webs 46. TheI websf44, 45 and 46 are set up in thesame manner as the webs 30, 3| and function for the same purpose as thewebs 36, 3 I.

Each of the laminations 2 to 5 inclusive is formed from rolling orcompressing imperforated flat straps of resilient metallic material .ofthe desired length, of the desired gauge and are of uniform thicknessthroughout in a manner to provide the side portions 21, 28 and theintermediate portion 26. The side portions 21, 26 are of greaterthickness and of less width than the intermediate portion 26. By rollingor compressing the strap to obtain the foregoing vstructuralarrangement, it materially increases the resistance and strength of thelamination.

With respect to the laminations 2 to 6 both inclusive, when provided byrolling or compressing the strap, it is formed inwardly adjacent itsends with the pairs 30, 3| of the transversely disposed, spaced. innerendwise aligning webs on its intermediate portion 26. The webs mergeinto the inner lengthwise edges and are flush with the or compressing aflat imperforated strap of resilient metallic material of the desiredlength, of the desired gauge and .of uniform thickness throughout in amanner to provide the side portions 36, 3l and. the end portions 38, 39and also the intermediate portion 35. The side and end portions being ofmaterially greater thickness than the intermediate portion 35. Thelatter is materially greater in width than that of the side portions 36,31. The manner of forming the lamination 1 materially increased theresistance and strength thereof.

The openings as shown in the laminations 2 to 1' both inclusive areprovided therein after the straps are rolled or compressed to providestruciutralarrangement, as stated of the laminations What I claim is:

1. In a self-lubricating spring, a structure formed of a series ofsuperimposed laminations of segmental contour, means at the verticalcenter and adjacent each side of the latter for securing the laminationsin superimposed relation, each of said laminations between the top andbottom laminations being formed with a pair of upstanding side portionsand an intermediate portion, said side portions being of greaterthickness and of materially less width than said intermediate portions,said side portions and intermediate portions `coacting to form widelubricant conducting-off channels opening .at the ends of saidstructure, said intermediate portions having means adjacent one side'ofsaid central means for establishing communication between said channels,having transversely disposed spaced lubricant retarders integral withthe upper faces of said intermediate portions 4and the inner edges ofsaid side portions and said bottom lamination being formed with alubricant receiving chamber opening into that lamination superimposedthere- 2. In a self-lubricating spring, a series of superi imposedlaminations, each having its upper face formed with a wide channelextending from end to end thereof and with spaced retarders extendingtransversely of and of a length less than the width of the channel, eachchannel being open at each end of a lamination, the said retarders beingspaced from the ends of the channels.

3. In a self-lubricating spring, a series of superimposed laminations,each having its upper face formed with a wide channel extending from endto end thereof with spaced retarders extending transversely of saidchannels, the said retarders being spaced from the ends of the channels,said ,retarders being integral with the bottom and sides of saidchannels, arranged in pairs, and with the retarders of each pair beingdisposed in inner endwise aligned spaced relation.

4. In a self-lubricating spring, a series of superimposed laminations,each having its upper face formed with a wide channel extending from endto end thereof and with spaced retarders extending transversely of saidchannel, said channel being open at each end, said retarders being ofless length than the width of the channel and integral with the bottomand side walls of the channel.

5. For use in self-lubricating springs, a lamination comprising aone-piece` body having its upper face provided with a wide channelextending from one end to the other end of said body, said channel beingopen at each end, said body being formed on its upper face with spacedupstanding parts within and disposed transversely of said channel, saidparts having the length thereof less than the Width of said channel.

6. For use in self-lubricating springs, a lami-l nation comprising aone-piece body having its upper face provided with a wide channelextending from one to the other end of said body, said channel beingopen at each end, said body being formed on its upper face with spacedupstanding parts Within and disposed transversely of said channel, saidparts having their length thereof less than the width of said channel,said channel being formed with a pair of side walls and a bottom, saidparts being integral with said bottom, certain of said parts beingintegral at one end with one side Wall of the channel and the others ofsaid parts being integral at one end with the other side wall of thechannel.

7. For use in self-lubricating springs, a lamination comprising aone-piece body having its upper face provided with a Wide channelextending from one end to the other end of said body, said channel beingopen at each end, said body being formed on its upper face with spacedupstanding parts within and disposed transversely of said channel, saidparts having the length thereof less than the width of said channel,said channel being formed with a pair of side walls and a bottom, saidparts being integral with said bottom, certain of said parts beingintegral at one end with one side wall of the channel and the others ofsaid parts being integral at one end with the other side Wall of thechannel, and said parts being located in proximity to the open ends ofsaid channel.

CHARLES A. DOUGHERTY.

